An act to add Section 6009 to the Government Code, relating to public notice.
Summary
AB 2323 would require any public notice that is legally required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation to be published in two places: the newspaper’s print edition and the newspaper’s internet website or electronic newspaper available on the internet. The bill applies when a statute, ordinance, bylaw, or judicial order requires publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and it would add a new Section 6009 to the Government Code to establish that dual-publication requirement.
In practical terms, the bill updates California’s public notice rules to reflect both print and digital publication. It does not change which notices must be published, but it changes the manner of publication by requiring online posting in addition to the traditional newspaper notice. The measure is framed as a public-notice modernization bill and does not include an appropriation or fiscal committee referral in the provided materials.
Impact
AB 2323 would amend the Government Code by adding Section 6009, creating a statewide requirement that legally mandated public notices appearing in newspapers of general circulation also be posted on the newspaper’s website or electronic newspaper. This would affect newspapers, public agencies, courts, and other entities that rely on newspaper publication to satisfy notice requirements, while preserving the existing print publication obligation. The bill would effectively expand the legal definition of compliant notice delivery for covered notices without altering the underlying notice triggers in other statutes or local laws.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support for the bill. It received unanimous approval in committee and on Assembly Third Reading, with no recorded opposition in the votes provided. There are no committee transcripts included, so the discussion record is limited, but the vote pattern indicates the measure was viewed favorably and likely as a straightforward modernization of notice practices.
Contention
No explicit points of contention appear in the provided materials, and the recorded votes were unanimous. The most likely area of policy interest is the added burden on newspapers and notice publishers to maintain both print and online publication, as well as the broader shift from print-only notice practices to dual-format publication. However, no member objections, amendments, or opposing arguments are included in the record provided.
Adds to existing law to establish provisions allowing certain governmental entities to publish abbreviated public notices in newspapers in lieu of full public notices.